GRAND RAPIDS -- These days, Grand Valley State University graduate Derek Copp is trying to find tranquility at a Tennessee monastery that focuses on inner transformation through yoga and meditation.

Life at the Isha Institute of Inner Sciences is likely far different from the chaos that surrounded Copp in March 2009 when he was shot during a police drug raid at his off-campus apartment.

Copp recovered and graduated in December with a degree in film and video, but the publicity that long ago susbided is now back after he filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Ottawa County, county Sheriff Gary Rosema and Deputy Ryan Huizenga.

He claims officers with the West Michigan Enforcement Team were negligent and reckless during the raid and used excessive force.

Copp was shot in the chest after Huizenga's gun, a .40-caliber Glock, discharged as officers entered his Campus View Apartments back slider. An undercover officer had previously bought small amounts of marijuana at least three times at the apartment.

While Huizenga may not have intended to shoot, Copp's attorney said the shooting cannot be termed an accident.

"Huizenga pulled the trigger while the gun was pointed at an unarmed, non-threatening, harmless citizen," attorney Fred Dilley wrote in the lawsuit.

Ryan Huizenga

He claims Huizenga should have had the gun in a "low ready" position, not pointed at Copp, and also should not have had his finger in the trigger guard.

Huizenga ultimately kept his job after he was sentenced to probation and community service on a misdemeanor charge of reckless discharge of a firearm. Copp also was charged and sentenced to probation and community service for marijuana delivery.

Copp spent nine days in the hospital and, since his recovery, has had trouble sleeping and required counseling, Dilley wrote. Copp was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

In the lawsuit, he claimed police should have known Copp posed no threat because they had been in the apartment for previous undercover marijuana buys.

Ottawa County Undersheriff Greg Steigenga declined comment on the case, but county attorney Doug Van Essen said the shooting was nothing more than accident.

"I don't think there is any question the deputy did not intend to shoot. There was a confluence of events that happened. I think there was a number of startle reflexes and there was an accidentnal discharge," Van Essen said.

Huizenga told investigators he was startled because Copp rapidly opened the slider door and a curtain after police knocked on the slider. Copp had raised his hand because another officer was shining a flashlight in his face.

Dilley, while seeking money damages, also is asking a judge to rule on whether Ottawa County sheriff's deputies, who make up part of WEMET, are using proper policies and training for drug raids.

"This lawsuit questions the actions of West Michigan Law Enforcement Agencies carrying out S.W.A.T. team assaults with automatic weapons and full battle gear against college honor students and others with no prior criminal records, who are believed to be in possession of small quantities of marijuana," Dilley wrote in a statement Tuesday.

"Unlicensed marijuana possession is illegal. But this isn't crack cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine either," Dilley wrote "If they persist in pursuing marijuana users, they should do so with caution and not in a reckless, cowboy-like manner as was done in this case."

Dilley believes police need to make risk assessments before individual raids and use the appropriate amount of force.

Van Essen said state police control the operation of WEMET and many other drug teams, but he's not sure there should be differing raid procedures.

"Just because there are college students involved, I don't think you can have different standards," he said. "And I don't think we have many law enforcement agencies in West Michigan that are full of cowboys."

Copp is spending a few months at the Tennessee monastery, Dilley said, before moving into a film-related job this summer.